True Stories that Inspire: Michelangelo wasn’t satisfied

There is no question about Michelangelo’s secure position in the history of art. He stands head and shoulders above the sculptors of all time. His many masterpieces, including David, Day and Night, Madonna of Bruges, twilight and Dawn, La Pieta, Medict Madonna and Child, and his towering statue of Moses, have inspired mankind for four hundred years.
Yet Michelangelo was never satisfied with his work! After completing his Moses, acclaimed as his greatest work, the master sculptor surveyed his work and then suddenly in anger struck the knee of his statue with his chisel, crying, “ Why dost thou not speak? Here was a man whose ideal was to make cold marble come to life!
Today, we can see the long narrow dent on the knee of Michelangelo’s Moses. It is the trademark of a man who never realized the perfection of his dream. It is the mark of a man who had set his ideal among the stars. It is a symbol of the fact that men becomes masters by attempting the impossible, and by never permitting themselves to be lulled to sleep by the ether of self- satisfaction. Only little men are ever satisfied with their accomplishments- that’s why they remain little. The big men are never satisfied- that’s why they become great.
By- The Friendly Adventures in Sunshine Magazine

Freedom or Foolishness?

“In a certain City a wealthy businessman lived with his two sons. Well we do not know there names, but let us call them Nathan and Jeba. The businessman had so much money that he could provide every thing that his sons needed. They had lots of food, many pairs of shoes, different style of clothes and what not.Father provided good opportunities for education and wanted them to be self reliant and worthy adults. He expected Nathan and Jeba to grow up as disciplined, good-natured individuals. Therefore he also made some rules and regulations, for them to follow.
Nathan the elder son was obedient and disciplined. He kept all the rules of the home. He never stayed out for late night movies, nor did he inculcate habits of smoking and drinking. Nathan knew that he should never violate his Father’s rules and principles and concentrated mostly on his studies and helped Father on the business whenever necessary. Jeba was just the opposite. He disliked his Father’s restrictions and rules. He always tried to fool his Father and enjoy the pleasures outside home. He loved to smoke cigarette, try every kind of drugs, enjoyed going to the disco, and spend lavishly on his friends. His Father always warned him of the consequences but in vain.
One day, Father was angry because Jeba came home late. Jeba could not tolerate his scolding He felt suffocated in the house pressed with all the rules and regulations and discipline. He was not interested in his Father’s business either. In fact, Jeba never really understood that he was actually squandering his Father’s hard earned money. He took things for granted. So Jeba reacted to his father’s stern words and decided to leave the house for good. He would go and stay with his friends who were very close to him. Then he would have all the freedom to enjoy and live life his own way.
The next morning, Jeba went to his father and asked for his share of wealth. Father was grieved that his own son misunderstood his love. He tried to detain his son but Jeba was adamant. At last father gave Jeba his share of property.
Jeba sold every thing and went away with the money. That day was his happiest, because he was no more bound by any rules and regulations. He was free to do any thing and go anywhere. He had his friends at his side and his pocket was full and heavy with money.
Days passed by. Jeba’s enjoyment knew no bounds. He spent money without reservations. He went to the pub, enjoyed free sex, and tasted every kind of drugs. Wow! Life was beautiful. Yet it was short lived. Gradually Jeba’s money began to dwindle so also his friend circle. He realized to his utter disbelief that his friends were after his money. They were glued to him because of his wealth. When the money was gone they were also gone. Jeba was left alone.
One night, he found himself cold and hungry in the street. He was actually thrown out from a bar. He had no place to sleep, no clothes to wear and of course he was very hungry. What will he do?
Jeba frantically searched for a job but alas he was not able to find even a job of a peon. Finally, desperate with hunger and loneliness, he went to a farm where there was a job vacancy to look after the pigs. Hoping to get some food he opted for the job. The owner wanted his job done first. So with hunger he went to clean the pigs’ pen. There he found some beans, which the pigs eat for their food. With utter weakness and hunger, Jeba grabbed some of the beans and was about to eat them when suddenly he was harshly pushed from behind. Jeba fell face down. He had no strength left to get up. It was a huge pig, which had angrily shoved him aside because the animal was not ready to share his food with the human.
Jeba was sobbing and clawing at the mud. He wanted food and water. Suddenly, his father’s face flashed in his mind. Jeba remembered his Father’s sad, tear strained face as he slammed the door on him while leaving home. Jeba remembered his Father’s servants eating and drinking merrily. They were wearing better clothes than him. He tried to get up from the ground but as he took one step he swooned and fell down. Lying on the floor of the cattle shed with clothes muddy and stinking, Jeba made a descsion. Yes, he would go back to his father’s house. But how can he face him? he has no more inheritance. No he would beg his father to take him as his servant. He had been a fool, taking his Father for granted. He had misused his freedom.
Repenting and crying all the way, some how Jeba managed to approach his house. His steps were feeble out of hunger and also shame. He stopped for a while under the huge banyan tree near the house.
What is this? Jeba saw his father running towards him.. Jeba did not know what to do. Surely he will be thrown out. No sooner has the Father reached near the Banyan tree, Daddy reached for Jeba and hugged him. He had been waiting every day looking from the terrace hoping that his beloved son would return home. It has been one year now but father had never given up hope because he loved his son dearly. At first glimpse he passed him off as a beggar, but then suddenly recognized his own son. Father’s joy knew no bounds. He jumped the stairs two at a time, which was dangerous for his old age.
Jeba was unable to look into his Father’s eyes. He fell down at his knees and sobbed, “ Father I have sinned against you. I disobeyed you, misunderstanding your love and restraints. I have wasted your wealth. I am no more worthy to be called your son. Please accept me as your servant and allow me to stay in your servant quarters.” Daddy was crying, but he held his son tightly as though he would never let him go again. He said “ I forgive you my son. I am glad that you have come back to me. You were lost but now found; you were almost dead but now alive again. I love you my son”
The reunion was terrific. That evening was a time of celebrations. A big feast was prepared. In the presence of all the invitees, Father gifted Jeba a new pair of costly garment, a new shoe and a new ring. It was the symbol of acceptance. His past forgiven and wiped out.
Jeba realized that his Father’s love was even wider and than the widest oceans. In spite of his foolishness, he was accepted back with the same love and care. Lying on the comfortable bed Jeba was pondering, about his misconceptions about freedom.
He had been actually foolish to think that life without rules was actual freedom.

From the Bible